Blackstorm House, Canterlot, 989 ACD

The stallion who stood upon the balcony gazed at the setting sun, his stern expression showing no sign of emotion. His wild mane and tail were wildly tossed by the harsh wind, like flames. Contrasting that, his dull grey coat was groomed to perfection, everyone of his feathers in perfect place. A small scar barely showed through on his cheek, the only imperfection which could be seen. He was ending his middle age years, though you would only know it if you knew him well. His cutie mark was of a tornado.

Two small fillies sat inside, a unicorn and a pegasus. The pegasus could almost be mistaken for a clone were it not for the eyelashes and lack of scar or cutie mark. She shared his colours, his mane, even his expression. The unicorn, however, was different. Her mane and tail were similar in their messiness, yet hers were purple and orange like the sunset outside. Her coat lacked the perfect grooming, and was a rich navy. Her face had no stern visage, instead showing the docile kindness expected in a young filly. They sat together on a rug, the unicorn playing with various toys and occasionally attempting to get her sister to play. The little pegasus filly would simply nudge the toys away before returning to her trance like state of staring at her father in awe.

"Flitty! Why won't you play with me?" the unicorn asked, her eyes pleading.

"Toys are for foals. It's time to grow up, Skye. And don't call me 'Flitty' anymore. It's a stupid, foalish name. It's Flitfire Spiral from now on." the pegasus replied, her gaze unmoving.

"You'll always be Flitty to me." the unicorn poked her tongue out after speaking.

Her sister's eyes flicked to the little unicorn for a brief moment, mixed between irritation and affection. The unicorn smiled to herself, proud she got even a glance.

Ever since she had been enrolled in flight school a year ago, Flitfire had become distant from her loving little sister. She spent more time in the skies, claiming she had to practice. At first Skye believed that, until it seemed whenever she wanted to see Flitfire, the pegasus would be about to go and stretch her wings. After this she had gone to her father and asked for her own pair. It was then when she discovered her father's hate for artificial wings.

"Never. No-one in this household will touch a pair of wings which aren't part of a pegasus. Now get out!" he had said, throwing a quill at her. Skye had spent the rest of the day crying, with no-one to comfort her. Her mother was out that day, and by the time she got back Skye had put on a visage of indifference to mask her crippling grief. Even at that young age, Skye knew her mother was too sensitive and weak to manage her own problems, let alone her daughter’s. A unicorn in the traditional Blackstorm House was strange, as it was and had been owned by pegasi for centuries. Pegasi who were usually opposed to the idea of race equality.

As the last rays vanished from the sky, the fillies' father came back inside. He gave an approving smile to Flitfire, who beamed in return, yet passed without a glance to Skye. A butler entered the room carrying a scroll.

"Mr. Overcast. An officer came by with this note. I-I'm sorry for your loss." he said, before exiting the room.

Overcast read the scroll slowly, then turned to the two fillies. Skye thought he was looking at Flitfire until she realised his gaze was locked on her.

"Skye Fusion. You're going to the orphanage tomorrow. Pack what you have tonight and be ready by dawn."

Skye went pale and stared in silence, tears brimming in her eyes.

"No! You can't! Mummy won't let you!" Flitfire yelled before shrinking back under her father's glare.

Devoid of emotion, he spoke.

"Your mother is dead."